#sometimes 'okay so you don't know anything about history at all and are talking about things you don't comprehend'

[coquelicoq]

incredibly moved whenever someone tells me that i'm an easy person to be around when they're going through some shit. there's nothing more sacred to me than sitting with someone through death and grief and loss, things that i can't fix or do anything about except be there and let them feel their feelings without having to pretend to be chipper or hopeful or cheeruppable. i can't pretend to feel what i don't feel, which makes me weird and awkward in so many interpersonal situations, but i think it's also what makes people feel comfortable sharing this stuff with me, because they know that i won't judge them and they don't have to perform for me. i feel so lucky when i can provide that for somebody. i wouldn't trade it for anything.

[lord-squiggletits]

It's not that what you like in fiction = what you approve of IRL or that consuming media = a meaningful form of activism, but I do think that to an extent, the way people analyze and talk about media can be revealing about what their personal beliefs are. And tbh the way some people in fandom talk about certain social issues I pray that they're never in a position of social influence or power over other ppl bc yeesh

[hoothootmotherf-ckers]

can people please stop filming the entire fucking world around them for public consumption? and especially random fucking strangers who you did not ask???

I work at a park and man the front desk. and I'm photographed and filmed a lot. I'm talking easily 20+ times per day. most of the times, it's parents filming me swearing in their kids as junior rangers. which. they're intending to film their kids. what they get is me and the back of their kids' heads.

there's this recurring problem that like. people forget we're real people? like yeah you're filming your kid, but you're filming me interacting with your kid. I could count the amount of times someone has asked me permission to do this in the past year on one hand. and sometimes that's after they already start filming.

Like, I'm not an actor. I did not agree to this. You could be a dick and make the argument that I'm a public figure, but I'm not. This is not a persona and my uniform is not a costume. I'm a person trying to do my job and help people and teach them about science and history. And you know what makes it harder to do that? The knowledge that anything I say or do could end up shared with thousands of people. The fact that if I fuck up the wording of this kid's junior ranger pledge, or I sneeze, or make some basic mistake, it's not just a funny or embarrassing moment for me and this one family. It could end up on tiktok.

And okay, those are the people intending to film their own kids and not thinking or caring about the collateral. What's worse is the people who film everything. A few times a week some guy walks into the visitor center, phone already horizontal in front of their face, narrating what they're doing and seeing. They come up to the desk and ask me questions, phone in my face. They take wide establishing shots of the visitor center and every visitor in it. None of us agreed to this! None of these people consented to be in your youtube video! We are not the fucking set dressing of whatever travel instagram story you're making!

I don't know where I'm going with this. This is really only the tip of the iceberg. Sometimes people ask us to repeat what we just did - swear in their kid, or explain a detail, or hand them a fucking map - so they can get a second take, and they're already filming so if we say no we look like the asshole. Sometimes we're asked innocuous things like to point out a landmark, and next week there's a photo of us in the 15,000 member Rangers Pointing at Things facebook group (yep, real thing). One time my entire 45 minute evening program was filmed without my permission and I was informed after the fact. This happens all the time, and I'm giving park ranger examples, but this happens to so many people in service work or public positions every single fucking day.

I guess just, next time you go to film in a public space, take a second. Think about who you're about to film, if they agreed to that, what might happen if a video of them went viral. there's a reason I'm not out as trans at work. And then, maybe. don't. or at least fucking ask.

[in-class-daydreams]

Imagine nearly beating a bitch when they imply that ex-husband Gojo was anything but completely devoted.

Being married to one of the most powerful sorcerers in history was bound to garner some rumors. But the the rumor mill really went wild after your divorce.

You'd grown to ignore the rumors that Satoru left because you were unable to have children after Sen. Or that his Clan ordered you to divorce (though they would have if they could). Or that you weren't a strong enough sorcerer to maintain his interest. People could make up all kinds of baseless things, so you grew to ignore them quickly enough.

But of all the cruel, accusatory, presumptuous rumors surrounding your divorce, one stood far above the rest.

"Satoru Gojo's wife left him because of his wandering eye."

As if people knew anything about him. About how "devotion" is the core of his personality.

So, yes, you might have sent an up-and-coming clan heir through a wall at an official meeting. But she had it coming.

Sukuna sighs and yanks you back into your seat. "Calm down. The bitch doesn't know what she's talking about."

"Excuse me?" the young heir gasped. "How dare you speak of me that way?"

You flick a hand and send a water snake directly at her face, making sure to direct it at an angle that would force water right up her sinuses. She coughs and gags.

"Satoru was utterly devoted to me and our son. Our marriage may not have lasted, but he is still the most loving man I've ever met. If I ever hear another nasty comment about him from you again, I will remove your tongue," you growl.

The other clan staff sitting around the table gape at you. No one moves to help the young heir.

"Looks like this meeting's over," Sukuna drawls, gathering his papers. "Good thing. This was such a waste of time. Come back when you actually have something for me that makes sense." He shifts into his Ryomen form and uses his extra arms to grab your stuff. "C'mon, brat. I'm done with these idiots."

~

Imagine doing a consultation at Tokyo High and being a little extra nice to ex-husband Gojo.

"I organized each file with color tabs. They're pretty self-explanatory," you explain, handing over the stack.

"And here's to think you could hardly read when we met," Satoru teases.

"Hilarious," you deadpan. "And I left a bag of sandwiches and a gallon of cut fruit for you in the employee fridge. Don't forget to eat again or I'll force feed you myself."

Satoru's eyebrows lift. "Oh. That's different. What brought this on? Are you buttering me up for something? What'd you do?"

You scoff and make to leave his office. "I just don't need Suguru to complain to me about you passing out or something. Don't think about it too hard."

"Alright, thanks."

Just before you cross the threshold, you hear, "Thank you for defending me. You didn't have to do that."

You turn halfway and eye him warily. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Kuna ratted you out."

"Of course he did."

"Nice try, though." He gives you a rare smile.

Satoru never smiled much. He laughed, pouted, or sly grinned plenty, but you hadn't seen his gentle smile in a while. It made him look younger.

"Well." You shrug. "Bitches who don't know any better should keep their mouths shut."

He laughs. "The Teenage Jailbird version of you still jumps out sometimes, I see."

"She gets the job done." You linger in the doorway for a moment. Then you move before you can change your mind.

Satoru turns his chair to face you when you run round the desk and lets out a soft "oof" when you lock him in a tight embrace. Your clench fistfuls of his uniform jacket.

"It's okay." Satoru pats your back. "I'm not hurt. Really."

You have to pry yourself from him, but you manage. Wiping a stray tear - that even Satoru is surprised to see - you nod resolutely.

"Okay, well. Don't forget to eat or whatever. Bye, Satoru."

Satoru watches you speed walk down the hall. The six eyes pick up on you stopping outside the school gates and running your hands down your face. Once you're gone, he returns to his admin work newly energized.

It was hard to explain to you when you were married, but those little moments of affirmation made all the difference to him.

~ Thanks for reading!

Click [here] to keep up with ex-husband Gojo and his estranged family | Ask stuff about Sen and the fam [here]

[rafeandonlyrafe]

mexico

words: 1.2k

warnings: 18+ only, smut, p in v sex, soft!rafe, established relationship, overbearing/annoying parents, proposal, marriage talk

“and why would i not want to come?” rafe questions, a soft smile on his face as he looks over to you.

“my family can be… a lot sometimes. i wouldn't blame you if you couldn't be around them for a whole two weeks.” you explain softly.

“but then i would have to be away from you for two whole weeks.” rafe hums. “i can put up with them if it means being with you.”

“stop it.” you whine out. ��you're gonna make me all blushy.”

“i love how easily i get you all flustered.” rafe laughs, pulling you onto his lap.

you've purposely only let rafe around your parents in small doses. they can be overwhelming, intense, and if they get on your nerves, they'll certainly get on rafes.

rafe holds you closer to his chest, his mouth finding yours. you allow him to kiss you for a minute before you pull away, much to rafes dismay as he frowns.

“okay, so to prepare you for them-”

“kiss first.” rafe interrupts. “prepare later.”

you can't argue with that logic.

--

“rafe, did you remember your socks and underwear?”

“mom!” you gasp. “he's a grown man, oh my god. you don't need to announce that in a crowded airport.” you hiss out the last part, a warning against any of her antics, not that it does anything to dull her.

“oh, relax sweetie.” she laughs. “i just don't want your boyfriend to have to get to mexico only to have to buy a pack of undies.”

“oh my god.” you grab rafe, pulling him a bit farther away from your parents, hopefully meaning they won't talk to either of you as much. “im so sorry about them.”

“hey, it's fine.” rafe presses a kiss to the top of your head. “just think about mexico. we're going to get there and lay out on the beach just the two of us. ill take you shopping and we'll spend all our money on tourist traps.”

“yeah, when my dad isn't forcing us to go to museums or cultural sites and my mom isn't snapping 1,000 pictures of us.” you look over at your parents only to realize your mom is taking a picture of you at this very moment.

your groan is drowned out by rafes laughter.

--

“mama, we are going out to the beach!” you call.

“oh, goodness!” she quickly rushes into the living room, the back patio opening up right onto the sand.

“be back in time for dinner, dears!” she says, grabbing a bottle of sunscreen and adding it to your bag.

“we'll be just outside, mom.” you say, allowing her to kiss both your cheeks. despite finding your parents overwhelming at times, you love them and know they love you too.

“rafe, she burns easily. make sure you reapply for her.” your mom says, pressing a kiss to his cheek as well.

“yes ma'am.” rafe nods.

you make your way outside before she can say anything else, walking until you're closer to shore.

“let me know when you need more sunscreen.” rafe smirks at you as you both lay out towels. “im always down to get my hands on your body.” 

“perv.” you laugh, making rafe growl and reach over to tickle your sides, ending up lying on the same towel in a heap.

--

your hand in rafes is the biggest solace as your dad continues on about the history of the town, deigning himself an honorary tour guide.

“sorry about this.” you squeeze rafes hand. it was interesting at first, but now that you're on the third hour of explanation about the architecture of one building or how the streets were made, it's becoming boring and manatonis.

“no problem.” rafe hums. “seriously you gotta stop apologizing, baby. your parents aren't that bad, plus, they made you, so i kinda have to thank them for that.”

“oh you're so sweet.” you whine, leaning in to turn your voice into a whisper. “you are absolutely getting laid tonight.”

“and you are absolutely getting treated to a beautiful and private dinner. i already talked to your mom about it. she called me a little romantic.” rafe smirks.

--

“you are a little romantic.” you giggle, reaching across the table to hold rafes hand, the flame of the candle flickering in between the two of you, appetizers and entrees finished, waiting for a dessert to split to be brought out to you.

“have to tell your mom she was right.” 

“hopefully they're asleep when we get back.” you can't help the smirk that stretches over your cheeks.

“oh, you are desperate for it, huh?” rafe laughs, sitting back as the waiter brings you out a chocolate cake dripping in fudge.

“it's been like four whole days, of course im desperate.”

--

“oh fuck.” you whisper, head tilted back against the sheets, rafe between your legs, thrusting mercilessly inside of you.

“god, you're so warm.” rafe hums out, burying his cock inside of you repeatedly.

“to-touch me.” you whine out, rafe instantly knowing what you're really asking for. “i need it.”

rafe drops his hand to your clit, rubbing it as he feels you pulsing around him as your high builds.

“nice and tight for me baby. and so wet.” rafe hums out, struggling to keep his voice low since your parents are asleep not far away.

“gonna cum- rafe!” you let out a gasp. “gonna cum, please.”

rafe moves as fast as his tired legs will allow, wishing he wasn't so worn out from the very long walk around the city with your father.

he makes up for his lack of pace with his thumb on your clit, rubbing and flicking over your bud until your high breaks.

your back arches off the bed with a moan as you cum probably a little too loud, rafe releasing inside of you only a moment later with a moan of his own.

--

“some mama and me time would be nice.” you smile, looking at the spa package your mom laid out in front of you.

“mhm. and your dad has something planned for him and rafe.” she says, looking over to your boyfriend.

“are you okay with that?” you ask, looking over at him as he eats his bacon.

“sure.” he nods. “would be nice to get to know him. one on one, ya know.”

--

“where are we going?” rafe questions, looking out the taxi window as it takes him further into the city.

“a shop.” your father just hums out, leaving it at that.

“okay.” rafe allows the silence to settle until they reach the store. he understands exactly why he's been brought here as he sees the storefront, advertising glittering bracelets and diamond rings.

“sir, i should let you know-” rafe clears his throat, reaching into his pocket to pull out the velvet box. “i already have what i think you brought me here to influence me to buy.”

your father's eyebrows raise in surprise as rafe continues.

“i haven't asked your permission yet, but i know i want to marry your daughter. i love her very much.”

“we would be honored to have you become part of our family, son.” your dad says, clearing his throat as tears well in his eyes.

--

“last night.” you hum, looking out onto the the water, the moonlight glittering over the waves.

“actually-” rafe smiles, tucking you further into his side. “we are extending our trip by a week. your parents are going home, though.”

“really?” your eyes widen.

“they insisted, actually.” he chuckles. “on one condition.”

“what's the condition?” you question as rafe sinks to his knees pulling out a box.

“that you say yes.”

[piggycyberwarrior]

How the Arcane Characters would react to a smart!s/o

a/n: hey guys so yeah.. i am backkk. love you all and pls request or talk to me if you want <3 don't be shy!!

Contains: Viktor, Vi, Ekko, Silco, Jinx

Disclaimer: Okay so i know people can be smart without reading books- but reading online articles or there are different reasons BUT there is no "world wide web" in the Arcane Universe. That is why the reader's a massive bookworm-kinda-smart person (?)

warnings: itsy bitsy teenie tiny mention of mature themes (turn on; feral) but NO further description; mentions of kissing (?), goofy Jinx (like what did you expect T-T) not proof read

let me know if i missed any warnings!!

Viktor

LOVES IT

like really he would be so thrilled to have a smart partner

would constantely go to the library with you- buying old science books or books about stuff that you like to read.

^ he never lets you buy them tho <3

Asks you when there are some issues with his work.. like this is such an honour (my bby has some issues when it comes to asking for help)

Viktor would always and I mean ALWAYS compliment you

-"look at my smart darling"

He just feels understood and so comfortable with you as you are on the same wavelenght as him

Loves to hear you ramble to him about the most random things at night, during walks, breakfast, in the morning, just simply at anytime

peppers your whole face with kisses while you ramble to him in the morning- loves to make you laugh, giggle or chuckle

Also adores it to have deep conversations with you

He just loves you<3

Vi

it would turn her on so much to be honest

like its so attractive (fr guys)

she would listen to you all the time, rambling and or reading to her- even tho she doesn't understand shit sometimes

loves it when you put her in her place when she did something stupid

also loves that you are a walking wikipedia

"Cupcake, what do you mean the dot over the "i" has a name??"

- " yeah its called the tittle or superscript dot- not only the dot over the i but also the dot on top of the j"

"WhAt?"

would constantely brag about you to EVERYONE like its almost embarrassing stopp vi please

used to steal you books from Piltover (still does it to be honest)

sometimes asks you if that one random fact she heard was true

loves to kiss you after you answered her question- as a price for being this smart <3

Ekko

lmao i don't know why but Ekko is such a sucker for intelligent/smart people

like dis man would be on his KNEES for you.

he would be always crafting stuff with you, always making sure you've got a new book in your hand, always kissing the ground you walk on

he wastes no time getting you anything that you need for your studies, crafts or freetime.

Has no shame- will show you off to EVERYBODY ON THIS GOD DAMN PLANET (like Vi)- especially to his teammates tho

loves loves LOVES to spend time with you and teach him the things you know or learned

"So the Midas effect is about people becoming more generous after a simple touch?" "Exactely, but the effect isn't scientifically proven- its just an assumption." "I see.."

also loves your fascination for knowledge

I'm sorry but he would go absolutely feral when he sees you teaching stuff to the small kids in the HQ.

it would make him so happy ngl

He would kiss you after that everytime- praising you that you're so smart

Silco

he would think it's so hot

Lets you read or craft in his office so he can watch you

^ it calms him

i don't think he would brag about you but he would be so proud of you neverthless

tells you that too

isn't stupid himself so he sometimes reads the books you enjoyed reading- he does that because he wants to know what you're talking about- never admits that tho

"What are you reading, handsome?- "Oh.. History of the World- it's quite interesting" you looked at him dumbfounded but quickly smiled "It really is interesting- the text structur is just beautiful!" you happily cheered

he loves it when you ramble to him at night- him laying on your chest and softly carding your fingers through his hair i love this man

just stares at you with that unreadable hot gaze of his when you start mumbling to yourself about some equations.

doesnt look all that dazed but on the inside he is GONE!!

he is so in love

grabs your chin and turns it to his face- pressing your lips onto his. Loves how you squeal- suprised that he interrupted your train of thought

Jinx

she adores it SO MUCH

constantely wants you to talk to her like she sits there- criscrossed, head resting in her palms- listening as if she has nothing else to do.

always wants you to tell her anything that you learned

^ she deadass throws a tantrum if you don't

only really listens to you- thinks you are always right

just like her sister- you have to keep her from doing stupid stuff

^ you cannot tell me she wouldn't do anything stupid lmao

decorates your book covers and doesnt know why you're so stressed everytime she does it (like thats a no-no , darling pls)

like thats so weird and all but she loves to read Picture books while you read Aristotle- just to feel the vibe

"How is your book?" you asked her with a raised eybrow while flipping to the next page- hearing her hum as she was reading that picture book. "Oh it's great, pudding- the ducks finally found their home!!"- "Really, that's good to hear" you chuckled softly

gives you suprise kiss-attacks when you're absorbed in your work

brags to sevika how smart her s/o is but gets jealous when others tell you that you're smart like gurl?

please do reblog, sweetheart <3

[mcflymemes]

NATIONAL TREASURE (2004) PROMPTS *  assorted dialogue from the film, adjust as necessary

i'm gonna steal it.

who wants to go down the creepy tunnel inside the tomb first?

if it's any consolation, you had me convinced.

you're not hurt, are you?

i am so getting fired for this.

is there a question in there?

we have no money.

how about a bribe?

it was cool. you should try it sometime.

we can't go back there.

i've never been so happy to be proven wrong.

you handled that well.

are you trying to steal that?

it's thirty-five dollars.

you know the key to running a convincing bluff? every once in a while you've got to be holding all the cards.

stop talking. start the van.

you're treasure hunters, aren't you?

i'm still working on it.

why don't you just come back down here and we can talk through this together.

don't speak again.

is that the hot girl?

are you with me?

what do you think? i'm a hostage.

do you trust me?

once we catch them, what do we do?

is this real?

i made something for you.

tell me what i need to know.

just another clue.

i can explain, but i don't have time.

i wasted 20 years of my life, and now you've destroyed yours.

what was the secret?

i found something!

i broke a shoelace this morning.

it can't be done.

i understand your bitterness. i really do.

i want you to have a chance to do that.

i've got some duct tape in the back.

promise you won't be any trouble.

i finally figured it out.

the treasure is a myth.

we need more juice.

you're all lunatics!

still a little on edge from being shot at, but i'll be okay. thanks for asking.

see? okay? now could you please stop shouting?

give me that!

you would do well, [name], to be a little more civilized in this instance.

who were those men?

we did the only thing we could do to keep it safe.

we probably deserved that.

i was thinking, what if we go public? plaster the story all over the internet.

it's not like we have our reputations to worry about.

people don't talk that way anymore.

beautiful, huh?

i have no idea what you said.

if there's something wrong, those who have the ability to take action have the responsibility to take action.

what do you see?

what time is it now?

we missed it.

i know something about history that you don't.

i'd be very excited to learn about it.

hold on one second. let me just take in this moment.

this is cool. is this how you feel all the time?

[name], you're a genius.

how do a bunch of guys with hand tools build all this?

the aliens helped them.

i volunteered.

it's invisible.

i'm sorry for your suffering.

when are we gonna get there?

i'm hungry. this car smells weird.

i'm so sorry i dropped you.

i would have done exactly the same to you.

why can't they just say "go to this place, here's the treasure, spend it wisely?"

anyone crazy enough to believe us isn't gonna want to help.

we don't need someone crazy.

[name], are you crying?

look. stairs.

i'm guessing that's significant.

i'm just trying to hide from my ex-husband.

stay as long as you like.

you want something?

i see what you left him.

this isn't a day for "um."

we didn't find the information credible.

well, this might be possible.

i leveled with you one hundred percent.

everything i told you was the truth.

it's not a conspiracy theory.

you know what? i take it back.

i'm in a little trouble.

this... is huge.

you are gonna go to prison. you know that, right?

that would bother most people.

you know what you have to do.

i'm just trying to think if there's anything else we could do.

i'm not letting it out of my sight.

how do you look?

a toast to high treason.

here's to the men who did what was considered wrong in order to do what they knew was right.

why do you need them?

look... this is a waste of time.

i'm still not against you.

i really couldn't accept something like this normally.

we don't actually have it.

did bigfoot take it?

is there a door that doesn't lead to prison?

get out of there. get out of there now!

[name], can you hear me?

can i marry your brain?

our evil plan is working.

why does that never happen to me?

meet me at the car. call me if you have any problems.

no broken bones?

a jump like that could kill a man.

[undreaming-fanfiction]

What I Wouldn't Do

This fanfiction is a Valentine's Day exchange gift for the lovely @henderdads. Cass, Eddie absolutely hates Valentine's Day, but for Steve? Well. He's willing to make an exception. Have an amazing Valentine's Day, you deserve it so much!!

Sometimes, it is difficult to reconcile several different truths in our lives. 

Eddie currently has this dilemma. 

Truth A: Steve Harrington, Eddie Munson’s boyfriend, allegedly loves sappy romantic things, Valentine's Day included.

Truth B: Eddie Munson, Steve Harrington's boyfriend, feels like if the world ever has to end, it should do so on February 14th, for this is the worst day of all days, the day of heart-shaped chocolate that tastes like crap, couples exchanging sweet words and bodily fluids, sometimes even semi-publicly, and don't even get him started about that horrible romantic music. 

After swearing on the Munson doctrine he won’t sell his soul to consumerism for anything and anyone but Steve, Eddie Munson decides to ignore Truth B. Steve Harrington deserves the best Valentine's day in the history of this idiotic holiday and Eddie has a hunch, a massive, Everest-sized hunch, that in all of his previous Valentine's days, Steve was always the one to do all the work. His beautiful and brave people-pleasing boyfriend. 

Then Eddie realizes another very uncomfortable truth. He has no idea how to celebrate Valentine’s Day. He spent the twenty one-ish years of his existence avoiding the holiday, so now he has to do some research. 

He starts small. When they walk together in the Hawkins center, careful not to touch or hold hands because Hawkins still remains a backward hellhole, he notes what Steve looks at. If his eyes linger on a certain flower for a few seconds, he makes a mental note. A mental note means in Eddie's case that he repeats the name of the flower ad nauseum, quickly excuses himself and scribbles it onto his forearm not to forget. He even buys a permanent marker for this. He can't forget anything, not when it's important for Steve.

When Steve asks about the scribbles, he claims it's for the next campaign. He even draws a sword and a shield next to the notes to avoid suspicion.

He asks many questions, most of them under the pretense of helping Gareth with his dates. "I swear, Steve, when he's lovestruck, he gets completely stupid. Not stupid stupid, Gareth's smart, but he can't hold rhythm and we need him to hold it, he's our drummer! So save this suffering aspiring rockstar and tell me, what do you think is the best type of chocolate? Milk chocolate? Okay, and is that like, universal? Did your previous dates like it? I see, a majority then! Sooo...are you a part of that majority?" 

Very smooth. 

See, Eddie doesn't give a flying demobat about chocolate types, he's more into hard candy. He doesn't like cut flowers, they die anyways because you cut them, how is that fair to that flower, huh? To die for being pretty? And of course, he hates the whole EXPECTATION of Valentine's Day. 

But the more he asks, the more he finds out, he doesn't see it as participating in the mindless machinery of lovestruck idiots. Instead, he sees the flush on Steve's cheeks when he talks about dark chocolate with dried raspberries and how his parents once brought it back from dad's trade conference, how it was love at first taste. He scratches out the idea for a bouquet of flowers when Steve mentions he’s always hated them because the flowers are so beautiful and vibrant, but they’re cut for an obligation in their prime. “It sounds stupid when I say it,” he chuckles, “but I want them to live until they’re ugly and withered, you know? They’re worth way more than their looks.”

Eddie could kiss him right there and then. And he does. 

He brings it all together, prepares all of Steve’s favorites with a silly twist because it’s Eddie, and Eddie lives for silly things. It really needs to be his favorites because Steve once admitted to him that most people with the exception of Robin and Dustin don’t really know what he likes, they just assume. And Steve is happy that people even thought about him, he thanks them and treasures those things that don’t mean anything to him. To Steve, being thought about is enough. 

Well, not to Eddie Munson. 

He asks Steve not to plan anything for their Valentine's Day. Or more precisely, he asks him to stay free and available and not worry his beautifully hairy head. He knows that if he didn't say this, Steve would have gone above and beyond for him, he would have likely taken Eddie to a concert with music so loud he’d get a migraine, but he’d suffer through it. So Eddie has to stop that from happening.

On the actual day, Eddie prepares everything. He sends Gareth ("You owe me so much for this. SO MUCH, MUNSON. I actually wanted to watch this tonight!") to rent Steve's favorite movie and goes himself to get access to the Hawkins High with…almost completely legal means, just a little bit of bribing here, some promises for a lengthy D&D campaign there, and of course lots and lots of nougat. 

He gathers everything in his van, waits for the kids and the janitor to get out and then starts setting the scene. 

There are two more incompatible truths that Eddie Munson grapples with: 

Truth A: Eddie Munson fucking HATES the Hawkins High. He wants it to burn down in flames, with only the theater room staying intact. 

Truth B: Steve Harrington sometimes wistfully mentions how he wishes he could have dated Eddie Munson in high school. How they’d share lunches, trade secret kisses in the hallways. He wishes himself and the world had been different. 

And so Eddie Munson grits his teeth, walks those cursed hallways he only managed to escape a few months back and counts on Robin Buckley to deliver his invitation with flair. “Extra points if you get him a trumpet solo, Buckley!” 

Robin apparently delivers because only half an hour after the expected invite, as he is smoking his fifth cigarette - don’t blame the guy, he’s nervous! He’s got a big date! - Steve arrives with a smile that’s equally excited and nervous. He keeps running his fingers through his hair and overall looks just biteable. 

Steve walks up to him and brushes his fingers against Eddie’s wrist, discreetly as they have established. It’s their own version of a kiss. “I thought you hated Valentine’s Day?” he asks and he looks so apologetic that Eddie promises to base all villains in his new campaign on all the people who ever made Steve feel he wanted too much. 

Eddie glances around, deems it safe and pulls Steve into an actual kiss. "It might be Valentine's day for you, Steve. For me, it's the "Steve Harrington Appreciation Day." He winks at Steve and relishes in the slight blush that has crept into his cheeks. “The name is already registered and all. No changes possible or accepted. Follow me, big boy.” 

Steve laughs when he sees a set cafeteria table with something that brings back so many memories. How did Eddie get two portions of school lunch?! The man has to be magical, he decides. They eat together, chat about their day, and then Eddie decides feeding each other is off the table because they’re giggling so much he almost stabbed Steve with the fork. 

They walk the hallways together, hand in hand, and Eddie sometimes turns around, sticks his tongue out at an imaginary girl and sneers “back off! He’s mine!”. 

Steve turns after Eddie and nods. “What he said,” he whispers and squeezes Eddie’s waist. 

Eddie then hands Steve a sports bag he stashed in the changing rooms and winks at him. “What are you waiting for, Harrington? We have some balls to toss! Baskets to score. That.” And before Steve has a chance to protest, he gets his own bag and starts changing into those awfully familiar PE shorts in all their green and white glory. 

Steve just watches him, mouth hanging open. “Now I get why I never saw you in these,” he mumbles as he also starts changing. “I would have realized I’m bi like, at that moment.” 

But Eddie just laughs and pulls his hair into a loose bun. “Oh, Steve. You have no idea what those shorts on you did to the little closeted me. The thoughts they gave me.”

“Lucky for you, baby,” says Steve and pulls Eddie to his feet, “this time you’re allowed - and strongly encouraged - to both watch AND touch.” Then he cocks his head to the side and adds: “Well. If you score at least one point.” 

Eddie tries. Fails. Tries again, even with Steve helping him. Eventually, they settle for a quick game of tic-tac-toe which Eddie wins and happily squeezes Steve’s butt. 

Their final destination is the only class they ever shared, history. All desks are empty, except for one - the middle one in the second row, where Steve used to sit. There’s dark chocolate with dried raspberries, Steve’s favorite, and a pot of flowers. Yellow, another favorite. 

“The lady in the flower shop said they should live, like, really long,” shrugs Eddie and moves the chair for Steve so he can sit down. “I forgot their name the second I got them, but Buckley knows and she was asked to deliver a booklet with how to care for them.” 

Steve drags him down to his level and kisses Eddie, deep and long. He’s either crying or laughing into the kiss, maybe both. “I don’t know what to say,” he whispers into Eddie’s cheek. “All of this…is right. It’s me. You remembered.” 

“Eh…kinda. Tried to.” Eddie gives up and lets himself be seated on Steve’s lap. “Actually, I had a small…cheat sheet. Let me show you.”

Steve watches as Eddie takes off his bracelet and watch and sets both on the desk. He gasps as he sees a coiling pattern around Eddie’s wrist, something that looks like a dotted or scratched tattoo all around, but that’s not it. Because then Eddie moves his wrist closer and he can read all the words on Eddie’s skin. 

DARK CHOCOLATE WITH RASPBERRIES

NO CUT FLOWERS! YELLOW IS GOOD

COFFEE WITH ONE DROP OF MILK

NO ICE IN DRINKS - TRIGGERS MIGRAINES

BELTS AND SHOELACES - GOOD GIFTS TO WEAR

FREDDIE MERCURY

GOOD OLD FASHIONED LOVER BOY

NO KETCHUP! 

STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM

These and so much more. All of Steve’s favorites, all what made him feel like himself, forever preserved in Eddie’s skin. 

He buries his head in Eddie’s shoulder and holds him so tight Eddie has trouble breathing, but then he decides that oxygen is overrated. “You’re so crazy,” sobs Steve into his shoulder. 

Eddie laughs again into the quiet of their former school. “I know.”

“And I love you so much.” 

He kisses Steve’s forehead. “I know. And I love you too. That’s why I had to do this, you know. Because even when I’m old and ugly, just like these flowers will be one day, when I’m senile and can hardly remember my own name, I will look at my hand and I’ll know all that is important.” 

Steve holds him even tighter if that’s possible, but maybe oxygen is needed just a little. Eddie gently kisses Steve’s head again and whispers: “We’re not done yet, love. Can you let me go so I can play us a movie? Something nice.” 

The arms crushing him loosen their hold and Steve briefly turns away to wipe at his eyes. “Sure. Sorry, I just…this is new for me. But good. So good.” 

“You deserve the good. All of it.” Eddie means it. And if seeing Steve appreciated as he should have been all of his life is redeemed by something as mundane as ignoring some truths about himself? Eddie is ready and willing. 

As he puts Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom into the VHS player, he realizes something terrifying - he’s actually LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT VALENTINE’S DAY. 

Oh well. Time to adjust the Munson doctrine. After all, it might become a Munson-Harrington doctrine one day, so it deserves some revision.

[magicalrocketships]

Daniel is not special!!! I am also fucked up over de-aged max 😭😭

And sometimes Daniel is very fucked up. All earlier parts can be found in this masterpost and on AO3 here (I was planning on putting the outstanding ones on AO3 tonight, but I'll do it over the next couple of days instead, including this part).

This sort of follows on from Waking Up and Max is big again.

It's You And Me (I Know It's My Destiny): In which Daniel is sad, and Max and Daniel go on holiday (this part 2.9k)

"I have sand in my shoe," Max says. 

"You can't have sand in your shoe," Daniel says, because they have been out of the car approximately 36 seconds and the beach is still the other side of the car park. All Max has stood on is the gravel next to the car. His Pikachu trainers are still tightly laced up. 

"I can," Max says. He's not been enthusiastic about this beach trip from the moment Daniel's mum suggested it. He plays with the handle on the car door as if that's miraculously going to unlock it again and let him get back inside. 

"You'll like it when we get there," Daniel says, sounding like his mum and her mum and probably every mum in the history of his family. 

"Hmmm," Max says. "When are we going home?"

There's a strange little pull in Daniel's chest. Home. Max talks about home like it's a plant with Daniel's flat in Monaco the root and wherever Daniel is right now the leafy green. His favourite thing is when they're all together, but he'll take being with Daniel so long as going home is also on the cards.

"Later on," Daniel says. "We've got some fun to have first. We can go in the sea."

Max looks decidedly dubious. "There might be sharks."

"We won't swim if there's sharks," Daniel says. He rifles through his mental compendium of fun things they can do on the beach today. "There's tomato soup?" he offers. He's got a flask of it in his bag. He's learned. "And you can take pictures with my camera."

Max blinks at him. Unimpressed. 

"My mum and dad will be here soon," Daniel says, desperate. "You can tell them all the facts out of your flag book."

"All of them?" Max asks. 

"All of them," Daniel agrees. "Come on."

"Hmm," Max says, but he slips his hand into Daniel's. 

&&&

Daniel finally acknowledges that he's hungry, so he gets out of bed and goes into the kitchen to find something to eat. It has been a week since his last supermarket delivery, and four days since he woke up to find Max gone, big again, disappeared back to a life which doesn't involve Daniel in any real way. There are apples slowly going soft in the bowl. Max likes apples. He likes them cut into slices with the core cut out. Depending on how crunchy the apple is, sometimes he likes the skin cut off. He doesn't like them when they're soft. Daniel can't be bothered to eat them, so he leaves them in the bowl. The fridge doesn't contain anything useful either, and the bread's gone bad. He stands in front of the kitchen cupboard with the crackers in and eats three of them. He follows it up with a packet of dried vegetable snack food for toddlers, significantly out of date, from when a tiny chunky three year old Max came to stay. He drinks a can of Red Bull looking at the empty cat litter trays. He needs to sweep the few remaining bits of litter up and take the bin out. 

He doesn't do it. He finishes his can of Red Bull, goes for a piss, and climbs back into bed again with the covers over his head. 

He hasn't showered in four days. He hasn't eaten a proper meal in five. He closes his eyes, buries his face in the pillows, and ignores the buzzing of his phone. 

&&&

"I'm not jumping in."

"Okay," Daniel says, zooming in on a picture of the pool. "You don't have to jump."

After their relatively unsuccessful beach day, Daniel drops the idea of renting a beach house for his parents and Max for the remainder of their trip to Monaco, and instead, goes for a gîte up in the hills. It has a pool and a pétanque court and somewhere to play badminton. It has two bedrooms up in the attics, which Daniel plans on claiming for him and Max, and one downstairs with a massive bathroom for his parents. The local village boasts two specialist bakeries. Daniel hopes they're specialised enough to do a boring sliced loaf for Max to have buttered on a daily basis. 

"You won't make me jump in?" Max asks, pressing himself to Daniel's side. He's so close that Daniel might require a spatula to get them apart. He's looking at the pictures of the gîte on Daniel's laptop. It's a last minute booking; they leave in the morning. 

"Promise," Daniel says. He hasn't actually asked if Max knows how to swim, so his mum and dad have got floats on their shopping list just in case. They've gone out to buy last minute things for their holiday tomorrow.. 

"There's no sand?" Max asks, leaning over and digging his elbows into Daniel's thigh so he can get a closer look at the pictures. 

"Not by the pool," Daniel says. 

"I don't like sand," Max says, which is something Daniel knows, after Max had refused to touch it at the beach. "I don't like it in my shoes."

Daniel ruffles his hair. "No beach trips. I know. There is a train, though. We can go for a ride on it if you like." 

"At the house?" Max asks dubiously. 

"No, we'll have to drive to it. We can take my mum and dad."

"Yes, please," Max says. "Are the Jimmy or Sassy cats coming on holiday with us too?" 

"They're going on their own holiday." A fucking expensive one too, at a luxury cat hotel. Cat ownership, even of the temporary variety associated with Go Small guardianship, is tremendously expensive. They've got the 'getting the cats into their multi storey cat carrier' experience to have later on too. They cats have clearly spotted the cat carrier and are sitting on top of the cupboards in Daniel's kitchen in protest. Daniel foresees a number of new scratches later on. A little pre-holiday gift.

"Will they poo in the cat carrier again?" Max maintains this is the funniest thing that has ever happened in his life, even beating the noises the camel made at the zoo, which he asks Daniel to imitate about three times a day. 

"Probably," Daniel says grimly. 

"Good," Max says. He leans his face against Daniel's shoulder. "Can we take the night lights? In case you are scared, Daniel."

Daniel kisses the top of his head. "Sure," he says. "We can walk around the flat and you can tell me all the important things we should take."

"Good," Max says. He's a solemn little boy sometimes, quiet and thoughtful and terribly protective of Daniel. Daniel is equally protective in return. "Pikachu won't get lost if he comes, will he?"

"No," Daniel says. "He can wear his own seatbelt in the car."

Max nods. "Good," he says. Then, "Let's pack now."

"Sure," Daniel says, who's never packed anything early in his life. "It'll be a fun surprise for my mum and dad if they come home and we're all ready to go."

&&&

The sound of the key in the lock should rouse him out of bed, but it doesn't. He's not expecting anyone, but if they've got a key it can't be all bad. Anyway, he can't be bothered to care. 

He stays where he is, in bed, and waits for whoever it is to come and find him. To tell him what they need from him. It won't be a seven year old Max come to visit, so it doesn't matter anyway. 

"Daniel?"

It's his mum. She's supposed to be in Australia. She isn't supposed to be here. He would have remembered that. 

She pushes open the door to his bedroom. It smells in here. It's been six days since he showered. He's eaten the remains of the stale crackers and there's crumbs on the sheets and on the floor. 

"Oh, Daniel," she says. 

"Hi, Mum," he says. She looks sad, and worried, but Daniel doesn't feel anything. He's had a hole in his chest for a long time now, and it's grown every time Max got big and left him again, and getting to have a Go Small Max all over again and then losing him like clockwork has just meant the hole has swallowed him up. "Did I know you were coming?"

"You didn't answer your phone," she says, coming over and sitting on the bed. He moves his legs to let her sit down. "We've all been very worried about you."

Daniel hums. "It's okay," he says, although it seems like a long way to come just because she's worried about him. He's fine. "I'm just tired."

"Okay," she says. "Can I get a hug?"

She must have been travelling a long time. Daniel hugs her. He can smell himself, warm and stale and tired. She seems upset. Maybe he should be upset too. He just misses Max. He wants Max back. 

She picks Pikachu up from the floor and brushes cracker crumbs off him. She tucks him up in bed next to Daniel. "I'm going to go see what's in your fridge, and then I'll come back and run you a bath, okay? We'll get you fixed up, Daniel, I promise."

Daniel nods. He just wants to sleep. He settles down into his sheets again, pulling Pikachu in close. He smells like Max. One day he won't, and Max won't Go Small again, and Pikachu will be all that's left of the months Max spent with him, small and serious and perfect. 

His mum leans over and kisses him on the forehead. "Love you," she says. 

Daniel closes his eyes. 

&&&

Max stands on the side of the pool. Daniel's in the water, doing a very stupid dance. He's singing along, making up the words as he goes along. Max tells him he's being very silly. 

Daniel agrees. They've been here two days so far and they've barely been out of the water. They've splashed and played and made up stupid games and done piggy back rides and played water badminton and piggy in the middle and had races where the point was to come last and Max has been happy the whole time. They've blown up stupid floats and ridden a giant flamingo and floated on a palm tree and paddled a boat. He suspects his parents haven't spent this much time in a pool in their lives. 

They've made their excuses now, though, his dad getting the barbecue ready for dinner and his mum reading her book and taking a million pictures and videos of Daniel and Max together. 

Daniel's heart sings. Max is having such a good time. He'd spent about 25 minutes in his own bed on the first night, and then gravitated straight into Daniel's, Daniel coming upstairs to bed to find Max sprawled out sideways, flat out, with Pikachu in one hand and his toy otter tucked under his other arm. The nightlights were on in both rooms. Daniel had resigned himself to sleeping in Max's bed until he'd managed about seven minutes sleep and Max was waking him up because Daniel would get scared if he slept by himself. Max had assigned himself Daniel's protector a long time ago and wasn't going anywhere. So, Daniel had the edge of the bed and Max had the remaining diagonal space, and everyone was happy (but mainly Max). 

And now Max wants to jump in. He's practiced putting his head below the water, which he didn't like the first time and is now better at. Daniel's told him it doesn't matter if he decides he doesn't want to, but Max is brave and resilient and trying his best. And Daniel's ready to catch him. His mum's got the camera ready, and his dad's cheering Max on. 

"Will you catch me?" Max asks. 

"I won't let anything happen to you," Daniel says. "I promise."

Max studies his face. "Okay," he says finally. He puffs out his cheeks and jumps. 

Afterwards, when Daniel's finished parading a cheering Max up and down the pool, his mum shows them the pictures. Max is beaming. Daniel doesn't think he's ever seen a picture of himself looking happier. 

It's scary, if he stops to think about it. But he doesn't, so it's okay. 

&&&

Daniel eats a sandwich and then has a bath. He can barely find the energy to wash his hair. When he gets out, the water's gone cold and his mum's put fresh pyjamas on the chair by the bathroom door. She's changed the sheets too, swapped Daniel's gross ones for fresh ones. She's even folded up Max's Pokemon blanket that Daniel's been hugging all week and put it at the end of the bed. The window's open and the curtains are pulled back. Pikachu isn't on his pillow anymore, because Max is sitting on his bed, holding him. 

He's not small. He's big. He's just Max, normal sized, world champion Max. 

Daniel gets back into bed. He takes Pikachu from Max and tucks him under his chin. 

"Daniel," Max says. 

"I'm tired," Daniel says. Max doesn't ever stay. He gets big and he leaves. He stops needing Daniel and he leaves. 

Max's hand hovers over Daniel's arm. It rests on his elbow. "You didn't say you were not okay, Daniel."

"I'm fine," Daniel says. "Just tired. What are you doing here? You don't stay here when you're big."

Max flinches. Daniel feels it.

"I think I should not have left you," Max says. "But I am here now. Your mum has gone to the shop. You do not have any food."

"I'm not hungry," Daniel says. He doesn't feel anything. He misses Max. Max is here and he still misses Max, his Max, the one who needs him. "I want to sleep."

"Okay, Daniel," Max says. "Then I will stay here with you. So you are not alone."

Daniel nods. He doesn't believe it. Max always leaves. He takes his cats and his things and leaves a big hole behind him, and Daniel's chest swallows it up. He gets emptier. He feels empty now. "You won't stay," he says. "You don't stay."

"I will," Max says. "I will look after you. I am going to help your mum."

Daniel closes his eyes. He's tired. He'll wake up and Max will be gone. It's okay. He's good at losing him now. He'll cope. 

He sleeps. 

&&&

Max jumps in and he jumps in and he jumps in. He's delighted, excited, happy. He jumps in without Daniel holding out his hands to catch him, and lets Daniel float off to the side and just cheer him on in instead. 

Afterwards, still excited, he wears his special robe to sit next to Daniel by the side of the pool and demands Daniel's mum show them both all her pictures. Daniel, in his matching robe, sits through picture after picture of the two of them together, of Max beaming, of Daniel beaming back. Of them beaming at each other. 

Max is happy enough only to complain a little bit when Daniel reapplies sun cream to Max's flushed face. When Daniel's mum goes to help with dinner, Max buries himself in Daniel's side. 

"I love you," Max whispers, like it's a secret. He tilts his face up and kisses Daniel's cheek. 

Daniel wraps an arm around his shoulders. He kisses the top of Max's head. "Love you more," he says. 

Max shakes his head. He's steadfast. He loves Daniel the most. He can't conceive otherwise. But it's okay. Daniel knows the truth: there's no one in this world he loves more. 

&&&

When Daniel wakes up, he knows Max will be gone. He'll have left again, gone home, gone to find his real life, the one that Daniel isn't a part of. The one where he isn't needed. 

Daniel doesn't open his eyes. He can hear his mum in the kitchen. He recognises her tread, the soft sound of the radio. He recognises her. 

If he opens his eyes, Max will be gone. 

"It is okay, Daniel." It's Max. He's here. He's stroking Daniel's hair. "Your mum is here and I am here. I'm not going anywhere."

Daniel swallows. He opens his eyes. Pikachu is still tucked into bed with him, the sheets pulled up over his shoulders. Max is lying next to him. 

"I didn't want you to wake up alone," Max tells him. He's still stroking Daniel's hair. He's not very good at it. He's a little awkward and unsure, but Max doesn't stop something if he doesn't know what he's doing. He just keeps on going. 

Daniel trembles. 

"It's our turn to look after you," Max says. "We will get you better, Daniel. We'll make everything okay. I promise."

Daniel—who is desperate, exhausted, and scared—clutches at Max's hand. 

Max laces his fingers with Daniel's. He leans in to kiss Daniel's forehead, and Daniel—that hollow in his chest suddenly aching, and he's breathless, his hand hot in Max's—abruptly starts to cry. 

&&&

"Are you enjoying your holiday, Max?" Daniel's dad asks. 

Max looks up from his new book of cat facts. He's been laboriously sounding out names of cat breeds to Daniel for half an hour. 

"It's my best holiday ever," Max says in satisfaction. 

He tucks his hand into Daniel's, looks up, and beams. 

(thanks to Zoe @flawlessassholes for her help with the first 7/8ths of this and to Lin @andwegogreen for her help)

[rayaverra]

Love Amidst the Noise // Luke Castellan

pairing: luke castellan x fem!reader

genre: fluff (i guess)

summary: you get a little overexcited while talking, and your friends find it annoying. When Luke finds you sad and quiet, he comforts you.

warning(s): none

wc: 654

notes: this actually happened to me in real life, so shout-out to my best friend for his kind words :')

english is not my first language, so there may be mistakes.

・❥・༶•┈┈୨♡୧┈┈•༶・❥・

"And we visited this museum when my dad took me on a trip to Boston, and the art there was just amazing! So many different types of paintings... all these vibrant colours that matched... and the amount of detail..." You were sharing your winter experience with your friends, feeling passionate about the art. Now that summer break had started and you were back in camp, you were excited to share all your latest stories, but none of your friends seemed to really care.

"Yeah... yeah... we get it! Your father took you to see some old paintings," one of them said, rolling their eyes, and soon afterwards everyone else joined.

"Yeah, who cares about some old paintings that all look the same anyway?" Another one added, and your smile suddenly faded, feeling sad that they spoke like that about something you cared so much about.

"And you've been talking about it for almost an hour! Don't you let anyone else speak?" And with that, you closed your mouth, feeling unwanted; you didn't say anything for the rest of your friends conversation.

Later that day, you were sitting on your cabin's table earlier than everyone else, not being in much of a mood. You started to wonder if everyone thought the same as your friends. You knew that sometimes you talked too much, but you couldn't control it. Did everyone in camp think you were annoying?

A familiar figure approached you. At first, you didn't turn to see who it was, but soon you realized it was your dear friend from the Hermes cabin, Luke Castellan.

He noticed your unusual silence and your worried expression. "Hey, is everything okay?" He asked gently.

"Fine..." You said, avoiding his gaze. And that, with the fact that you replied without using many words, like you always liked to explain the details, made him curious as to who got you sad. Deep down, he was also slightly angry that someone would hurt his best friend like this.

"Come' on, I know you better than that." He smiled softly, reaching across the table and gently holding your hand. "You can tell me everything, you know."

You hesitate for a bit, feeling a lump form in your throat. "Do you ever find me annoying?" You eventually blurted out, surprising both Luke and yourself.

He furrowed his eyebrows, looking genuinely puzzled. "Annoying? Not at all! Why would you think that?"

You signed, looking into his filled-with-kindness blue eyes, giving him a weak smile. He was so gentle with you that it warmed your heart.

You sighed, finally deciding to share the weight on your shoulders. "My friends, they... They always complain about me talking too much and never let me finish."

Luke's expression shifted from confusion to understanding. "You're not annoying, not to me. I love how you light up when you talk, how your eyes sparkle. Your enthusiasm is one of the things I adore about you."

Your heart warmed upon hearing his comforting words. You realized that you had found someone who appreciated you for who you were.

"Don't let them get to you. You're amazing just the way you are, and anyone who can't see that doesn't deserve your energy." He said, moving a strand of your hair behind your ear. You smiled, remembering how fun it was when you explained to Luke the history of each painting, and him listening intensively.

"Thank you, Luke." You smiled, moving closer, sniffing a little, and resting your head on his shoulder after giving him a hug.

"Can you tell me about that painting with that couple on a swing again?" Luke asked, and you blushed, nodding your head and starting to tell him about the famous Cot's painting.

In that moment, the weight lifted, and you felt a newfound strength. As you continued your conversation, you found solace in Luke's understanding, grateful to have someone who valued every word you shared.

[cybertronian-reader-imagines]

How about someone who was recently turned into a Cybertronian and Team Prime tended to and comforted them? They have a lot of adjusting to do! 👀

TW: A bit of implied disassociation because, holy shit, suddenly you're a giant metal robot and that's kinda hard to wrap your newly non-organic brain around.

((Knock Out is here because there is not enough Autobot!Knock Out and I love him.))

Team Prime comforting Reader, who just got turned into a Cybertronian, would include...

Optimus reassures you from the first moment that you have a safe home with Team Prime, should you choose to stay with them. Of course, you do. He makes sure you have the time and space to adjust and be comfortable with your new body before jumping into anything. He's just there if you need him, which some days is more helpful than everyone's else's efforts to offer unsolicited advice right off the bat.

Bumblebee helps you adjust to having wheels by challenging you to races that double as training whenever possible. He is almost certainly going easy on you, but nobody ever tells you as much.

Bulkhead is the first to realize that maybe you just really need a damn hug right now, if only because he's not very good with words. He hugs you and reassured you that it will be okay, and you're amazed how warm and fuzzy you feel afterwards, even though you're fairly sure your new body doesn't actually feel such minute temperature changes.

Ratchet tries to be "comforting" by explaining how your new body works... in detail that goes way, WAY over your head. But eventually, you get him talking about Cybertron's history and culture, and realize that your two species aren't all that different after all, which helps more than an anatomy lesson ever could.

Smokescreen is quick to remind you that you don't have to go back to your boring human school/job/house/whatever. Depending on how much you liked/disliked your old life, this is either incredibly helpful or incredibly irritating. If you get upset with him though, he's quick to apologize, and it's hard not to be comforted by that well-meaning smile and a servo patting your shoulder.

Arcee might somehow be even more protective of you than she is of the humans - she knows what happens when bots overestimate how much they can handle, and she figures that's really easy to do when you go from being a tiny, fragile human to a giant robot. Sometimes it's hard to hear her remind you that you're still mortal, but she means well. "Okay Mom, I get it."

Wheeljack, like Bulkhead, isn't very good with words, but he's also not very good with affection. What he can do, however, is listen. He's there the first time you get frustrated with the rest of the Team - not because they truly did anything wrong, but because being cramped into a tiny base with people you've just met will irritate anyone - and he never breathes a word of what you vented to the others. The Wreckers had their spats too - he knows you'll all be cool at the end of the day.

Oh Primus help Ultra Magnus he doesn't have a comforting servo in his body, but at least he's honest about that. In fact, he's the best bot to go to when you're ready to have things less sugarcoated.

Knock Out doesn't understand what the fuss is about - why would anyone ever want to be a squishy, gross organic when they could be Cybertronian? Humans couldn't turn into cars, for one, and couldn't be polished. He gives you a fresh coat of paint and polish and tells you how much better you look now - it does help, in a way. Being able to pick out new paint makes you feel a little more like your new body is really your body.

But honestly? Your biggest comfort might just be Jack, Miko, and Raf, if only because they will remind you any time you so much as frown just how cool being a giant robot is. And then you remember, yeah, it is pretty cool, actually.

[ivyluvsyouu]

WHY IS YOUR WRITING SO GOOD AAAUUGH

anyways, wanted to request Liyue characters (any of your choice) and an Adepti reader and their reactions on that. Also I really like your writing, keep up the good work!

𝑳𝒊𝒚𝒖𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒊 𝒔/𝒐

𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔: 𝑩𝒂𝒊𝒛𝒉𝒖, 𝑩𝒆𝒊𝒅𝒐𝒖, ��𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒖, 𝑯𝒖 𝒕𝒂𝒐, 𝑵𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒈𝒖𝒂𝒏𝒈, 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒏𝒉𝒆, 𝑿𝒊𝒂𝒐

𝑰'𝒎 𝒔𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒚 𝒊𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒅𝒐𝒏'𝒕 𝒔𝒆𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝑳𝒊𝒚𝒖𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒅!! 𝑰𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝑳𝒊𝒚𝒖𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒍𝒆𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘<𝟑!

𝑩𝒂𝒊𝒛𝒉𝒖

Baizhu finds you quite interesting. You told him about your adeptus powers pretty early on into your relationship and he finds it extremely intriguing. He asks a lot of questions about your powers and about your life before him. He knows that adepti don't die from old age, so he asks about the past a lot since your thousands of years old. He asks for you to try his medicines that he makes sometimes to see if they will have an effect on you. "Darling, can you try this one?"

He doesn't ask all the time because he doesn't want you to think that he's using you because he isn't. He just finds your history and your powers extremely interesting, and he wants to be able to understand you more. So, if it seems like he's using you for his research he's not doing that he just wants to be able to understand his beloved s/o more.

𝑩𝒆𝒊𝒅𝒐𝒖

She's heard of the adeti before, and she's even met a few before but she doesn't fully understand everything about them. So, when you confessed to being an adeptus she didn't really know what to do. It's not like she was mad, or she loved you any less she just didn't know what to do to understand you or how your powers worked. You had hidden it from her for a while because you were nervous about how she would react and when you told her she made sure you knew that she didn't love you any less and that she wasn't upset. "It's okay, I understand why you would hide something like that" she said wrapping her arms around you.

She asks Ganyu about it since she knows Ganyu is an adeptus as well. Ganyu gave her some brief history on adepti and how they're powers work and their history. She always tries to learn more and more about you and your powers and she's always trying to educate herself on adepti so she listens to everything Ganyu tells her.

𝑮𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒖

She already knows that you're and adeptus since she's an adeptus So, it's not really anything out of the ordinary for her. If anything, she prefers her s/o to be an adeptus since it's easier for her to relate to another adeptus. She loves being able to talk to you about things mortals wouldn't understand. She finds most of the other adepti hard to talk to so her s/o being an adeptus really helps her. "It's so easy to talk to you, y/n"

You two had been friends for hundreds of years before you two got into a relationship and Ganyu had feelings for you for hundreds of years before you two got together so getting into a relationship with you was one of the best things that has ever happened to her.

𝑯𝒖 𝒕𝒂𝒐

"Ooohh cool so you're like super strong right? I know Mr Xiao is an adeptus so you're like him?? Woahh you're so great y/n, I'm so lucky to have you as my s/o" she said smiling at you. When you admitted you were an adeptus all she could think of was how cool it was and how much more she admired you. She takes such pride in you being an adeptus she just tells people about it mid conversation. "Oh, my s/o? there super strong and there an adeptus!! How cool is that?!"

She always tries to learn more about adepti and your history and how your powers work. "So, y/n, I have to ask, have you ever met any of the archons?? What are they like??" she's so curious about everything, she'll join you on commissions just to see how your powers work.

𝑵𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒈𝒖𝒂𝒏𝒈

"Hm? You're an adeptus? Oh, I know darling I could tell" she said softly as she looked up from her work. She knew everything about Liyue, Including the Adepti and who they are and their history so she could tell that you're an adeptus. And honestly, she doesn't care. As long as your safe and cared for she doesn't care about you being an adeptus.

She knows about adepti powers and the history of the adepti and everything so she's not really curious about how your powers work. If you want to rant to her or vent to her about how stressful being an adeptus can be she will listen and give you as much as advice as she can.

𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒏𝒉𝒆

She was raised by adepti so she already knew who you were and when you two developed feelings for each other and eventually got into a relationship she knew that you were and adeptus and how important you were to the people of Liyue. Most people address her as an adeptus but at the end of the day Shenhe is a mortal, so she always tries to understand you more. She has a pretty good understanding of your powers, but she always tries to learn more.

She looks up to you a lot and is proud to say that her s/o is an adeptus. She knows how hard you work to protect Liyue so she always tries to be as supportive as possible. She does get worried sometimes that you might get hurt, but she has to tell herself that your strong and that you'll be okay.

𝑿𝒊𝒂𝒐

Like Ganyu, He prefers to have a s/o whose an adeptus. Honestly, I can't see him falling for a mortal I can only see him falling for another adeptus. He finds it easier to communicate with you because you understand things mortals wouldn't. He knows being in a relationship with him is difficult but you being an adeptus helps a lot.

He knows how different each adeptus is, so he always asks questions about how your powers work. You both had known of each other for thousands of years, but you had never really spoken much but when you did, he fell for you instantly and he spent a few hundred years thinking of ways he could confess to you. And it took him another hundred years to find the confidence to build up the confidence to confess but once he did you both knew that you two would spend the rest of eternity with each other.

𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒎 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒊𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒅𝒊𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒑𝒍𝒛 𝒍𝒆𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒘𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔<𝟑!

[thedevilsoftruth]

Y'all saw this coming. Strap in your seat belts, you sexy people. Daddies back in action. Im sorry if this comes as a shock to people who follow me and dont enjoy NSFW content. It's just what i do here. This is the first nsfw post of Shane on here. Im also sorry to my Moon Knight girlies, Marc will be back again in a while. And remember, if you don't like it...

... don't read it. :))

Nsfw Shane Hcs for the soul ♡

He's a nervous little guy when you ask him for it. He just gets all flustered and will bottom out on you halfway through.

When he's the one asking for it... oh boy.

He's 100% not pressuring about it. He beats around the bush a lot. " I don't know, am I trying to get into your pants? Oh geez, why would I ever want to do that.... " As he's hugging from behind, pushing you into the counter and attacking your neck with sloppy kisses.

He'll deny his intentions on clearly trying to have sex with you as a way to tease you, and then when he gets in bed with you... well... the rest is history.

He runs out of stamina easily, so he likes to start off with foreplay or oral as a way to, as he says, " get the juices flowing " but really just to make sure you're comfortable, and he doesn't hurt you when he actually bangs you.

Horrible, terrible, down bad, filthy, outrageous, uncontrollable breeding kink. Always uses protection, but when the question is brought up of having kids, Lord have mercy, that man is ON HIS KNEES. His ears are PERKED up like a cartoon character. He likes finishing in you, but the idea of raising children with you is something he's always thought about. It's the least thing he can do to contribute to his family; keep the bloodline going.

Not the best performance when he's drunk. Towards the end, he'll get a bit faster, but he will be bottomed out half the time.

I know I'm talking about him bottoming out a lot, but he is a classic, slow, vanilla, missonary kinda guy. Bdsm freaks him the fuck out.

He just really doesn't want to hurt you. He's down for something rougher if that's what you want, but it's only if that what you want. He will always put YOU and YOUR safety before his.

" Am I hurting you? " He will slow down in the middle of your session to check up on you and make sure you're okay and comfortable. " Do you need me to stop? " etc.

And he's funny too. That man is hilarious in bed. He his making references to old movies in bed with you, he's singing songs, he's just being a dork. " You could say I'm rather.. cocky " as he's whipping it out. Really, bad, bad, horrible jokes, but that's the point of it. He just wants to make it more light-hearted for you so that you're happy and content with him.

Sometimes he'll play music. Marvin Gaye is a go-to.

And when he's done, he always gives you a nice massage and cleans you up. On his good days, he'll give you a bath. But his favorite thing is giving you a massage. He's experienced, too, with massaging the cows.

He lets you sleep on his chest when you're both done for the night. The next morning, he feels so. Fucking. Guilty.

" Baby, are you sore? Is there anything I can do? " is all he's able to ask you. He cares about you a lot, and he doesn't want to hurt you. He knows your hips have to hurt, especially with having to do your farm work in the morning. He'll ask you to stay in bed with him, and if you refuse, he'll make you dinner and then watch a movie with you and give you another massage.

[amuseoffyre]

Things worth remembering:

All Stede knows about Ed's breakdown is that it was because of him (You broke him/he took my leg cos I mentioned your name), He doesn't know about Ed's other trauma aside from his dad and while he knows Ed is disillusioned with pirating, he doesn't know the specifics about why.

Ed tends to speak in metaphors and while Stede tries to understand them, it's clear that sometimes he's missing the mark. Sometimes Ed isn't even sure of the metaphors himself, but once he has them, he holds onto them - the fish thing has got him especially.

And the thing is that Ed's only just learned to sit with himself in episode 5 and it's overwhelming him. At the beginning of 6, he's the stillest and quietest we've seen him and is gazing out to sea while having flashbacks to things he's done and people he's hurt (hello 1x09 callback).

And the thing is he's okay at the start of 7. He's made a decision about shedding the Blackbeard stuff. He doesn't say anything to anyone and he's ok until Jackie points out Stede is the rising star just when Ed wants out

He doesn't begrudge Stede being excited and happy with his new fame. He is afraid of what his presence has led Stede to: the conversation with Jackie is very much his "you defile beautiful things" moment, especially his presence brought Ned to Stede ("It's me you want").

He also doesn't understand why Stede killed Ned because Stede bottled up his trauma like his love letters. He doesn't even know why Stede a) became a pirate or b) went back to Mary, especially since Stede never actually told him where he'd been directly. He had to hear it from Anne - and Stede is betrayed by that as well ("I told you that in confidence")

Right now, he's feeling unmoored by his own identity and now Stede has taken a step that has fully changed him as a person too and dragged him straight back into the heart of piracy. He tells Jackie he wants out and she asks if Stede knows that and Ed's face just drops and he whispers "shit".

And he spends of the rest of the day thinking and quiet and realises that to process any of this mess, he needs to be away from the pirate world for a bit so he can get his head on straight because now it's roaring back in for him. He sits, he thinks, he realises he needs that space - he should speak to Stede but he tried that the day before and Stede still killed Ned.

Stede also lashes out, which definitely doesn't help. He's right. Ed is panicking, but Stede is also missing so many little clues. Ed never told him about dropping his leathers and Stede just sees him as Ed in other clothes. He doesn't understand the significance, even when everyone around them realises something is off. If even the Swede picks up on it, you know it's an obvious flag.

They both need to use their words and explain wtf is happening with both of them, but they are also both ridiculously traumatised by their past experience. Ed is afraid he's unlovable and now Stede is talking down his coping mechanism, so maybe he's right and Ed-as-Ed is unlovable, while Stede has been told his entire life he isn't enough, so becoming the ultimate pirate should be the win he's been looking for, only Ed isn't happy and Ed is leaving him, so maybe it's him that isn't enough after all.

They are both tangled up so much in their own histories and don't know enough about each others and that's why they keep lashing out and hurting each other so much - they each don't realise what they're saying is a different kind of weapon to the other.

[sleepyparalysisdmon]

2 Minus 1 - Act One

Seungcheol is doing good without you. Really good, in fact! He’s got a great job, has his own apartment, and has many friends surrounding him. He’s even done some dating in the three years that you’ve been gone. On some blissful days, you don’t even cross his mind. But when you reappear in his life, he has to come to terms with the fact that he might not be doing as good as he thought he was. 

Genres: ANGST with a little bit of fluff here and there. One suggestive scene (minors, use caution). 

Word count: 6.6k

Requested? Yes!

You can find the series masterlist here.

You didn’t mean to ruin everything.

It’s something you think often, but especially right now, lying in bed just hours after breaking things off with your boyfriend of nearly three years. You tend to ruin a lot of things. You burn the food when it’s your turn to cook. You accidentally break your key off in the lock of your apartment door and have to call maintenance to replace the whole lock along with a new set of keys. You spill your drink all over your laptop midway through writing a paper, with the only saving grace being that the document was saved and backed up. 

You’re a bit of a clutz and sometimes don't think before you act, and most people let it slide. Your most recent ex boyfriend says it’s endearing, teasing you mercilessly for it as he pinches your cheeks and then rescues you, ordering food from the place down the street, or waiting with you while you’re locked out, or handing you his laptop so you can finish your paper. Or at least he did, before you broke the news to him.

You’d gotten a job back home, expecting to finish your law program in a few short weeks. You missed your family, you said. You had lost touch with your friends back home and would like to be able to reconnect. You missed the food, particularly your mom’s home cooking. You missed speaking your native language all the time. 

Some of these were kind of null and void, but Jeonghan doesn’t say anything about it. It’s not important that you both cook Korean food at least a couple times a week in an effort to mend the homesickness both of you have. It’s not important that you speak your native language with him all the time. What’s important is that he’s not going back home after finishing the very same law program because he’s already got a job lined up here. 

It’s devastating really and you tear up again thinking about it. He’s been your best friend since moving abroad for this program. A familiar face from back home that became more because you both clinged to each other in an unfamiliar new place. You’re pretty sure you’ve lost him entirely by deciding to leave, but he insists that’s not the case at all. That you both will still talk. That he’ll see you when he does eventually come home to visit family. That you can come visit him anytime. He even squishes your face, insisting you’ll never be rid of him.

But it feels like history will be repeating itself in a few short weeks, because that’s what Seungcheol said too, a little over three years ago. You know that’s why Jeonghan is being as delicate about this break up as he is. He knows you, Seungcheol, and your shared history. Knows how long you two were together. Knows how bad you felt about leaving Seungcheol to take this opportunity here. Knows how much it hurt when the phone calls and texts stopped, and eventually when you discovered you were blocked on everything. Jeonghan’s promising he won’t do that, that you were friends first and that’s ultimately what’s more important. He knows you've heard it before but he’s urgent about trying to get you to understand that it’s okay now and it will be okay later when you’re oceans away from each other. 

Still, this whole night has catapulted you back in time, thinking about the day after you got your acceptance letter to this program. Seungcheol was showing you apartments online, thinking you both would be moving in together following graduation from your respective bachelor’s programs. That was the discussion at the time, because making it into this program was a pipe dream and you’d already made it into one back home. You know you had to rip the bandaid off because there was no way you could turn down this pipe dream if it could be a reality, but in hindsight you should have done it more gracefully, with more care and consideration for his feelings. 

He hadn’t handled it well. Seungcheol’s emotions usually manifested in anger or frustration and you were on the receiving end of it all that night. Your knee jerk reaction was to be mad about that, specifically that he didn’t seem excited that you’d made it into such a prestigious program or that you were pursuing what you wanted to do in life. Seungcheol matched your temper and always had, so it was a nasty fight. The following week, it wasn’t a make up, but rather a break up. 

He’d calmed down for that conversation by then and didn’t look too surprised when you said that maybe you two should split. That maybe this was a sign that your paths were diverging. He was remarkably unemotional about it, seeming totally resigned to it, but you weren’t. You had weakly asked if he thought you could still be friends. It felt so cliche even back then to ask such a thing, but he had insisted. Yes, of course. We’ve been friends for our whole lives. Of course, we’ll still be friends. You had realized just how naive you’d been about that promise within just a few weeks of moving to California. 

From under your covers, you peer around your room, partially boxed up already. All of this would be back home in just under a month. You were so sure about your reasonings when talking to Jeonghan over dinner, like this was the only solution. Now there was dread in the pit of your stomach, wondering if you’d even be welcome back home anymore the way you felt welcomed here. 

~

Joshua comes over to help you pack. He says it’s payment for all of the coffee you’ve bought him and all the notes that you’ve shared with him over the years. He’s one of yours and Jeonghan’s classmates, a California native that helped you both acclimate here in a way that simply can’t be paid back by coffee and notes, or anything else really. Between the language barrier and not knowing your way around, Joshua had bailed you both out so many times. You and Jeonghan both love Joshua so much that neither of you are ever put out by him third wheeling constantly. 

You also recognize right away that Jeonghan is put him up to this and the payment in the form of packing is a ruse. Not that Joshua isn’t extremely helpful naturally, because he is. You could have called him anytime to help you pack and he’d show up in a heartbeat. But the first thing he says when he comes in is, “I heard you’re single.” He says it lightheartedly without an ounce of flirting, but he didn’t hear that news from you and you didn’t call him for help with the packing.

“You’ve been gossiping, I see,” you respond, trying to stay equally light. Your time is limited with one of your best friends now and you don't want to waste any time crying all over him, though he’d be one of your first choices for that sort of thing. He hands you coffee and sets a box of donuts on the table. 

“I wouldn’t call it gossiping to want to know that two of my best friends broke up. Want to talk about it?”

The question is gentle with absolutely no pressure and you know you can tell Joshua anything, but you purse your lips, shaking your head. “Not sure there’s much to say. I assume Jeonghan told you everything already.” You’re not upset by that. The three of you don’t really have secrets, even the things that should be secret, or at least private. 

“Still,” Joshua insists. “I’m devastated, personally.” You shove him, chuckling, but he doesn’t match the lightness in the moment. “No, I mean it. I understand why, but I was already planning my best man speech.” 

“You can still do that,” you chortle. “Hannie will surely find someone else one day. You’ll still be best man.” 

Joshua gives you a curious look, before shrugging it off and picking up an empty box. “Where do you want to start?”

~

After graduation, you join Jeonghan and Joshua for drinks. Some of your other classmates are there too, but have long abandoned the table, mingling or dancing instead. Joshua puts his head in his hands. “Oh my god, I’m not ready for the Bar.” 

Jeonghan matches with a groan. “Please don’t mention it. We literally just got our diplomas.”

“Fake diplomas,” you tack on. The sleeved one each of you have in Joshua’s car is just a sheet of thin printer paper and you’ll be getting the official card stock ones in the mail in a few weeks. 

“Man, I will not miss your smart ass corrections,” Joshua teases. 

“The better question is, will you miss us?” Jeonghan asks from beside you. He’s been shockingly warm given that you ended things a few weeks ago. He’s still seen you nearly every day and it’s almost as if nothing has changed. 

“You know I will,” you say honestly. “Who else is going to bail me out when I do something stupid or embarrassing?”

“Oh, plenty of people will,” Jeonghan says confidently. “Wonwoo and Mingyu seem excited that you’re coming back. You’ll never be able to get rid of them.” 

This make you scoff thinking of your little brother and his best friend. “You’re right. I’ll never be rid of Wonwoo and, by virtue, of Mingyu.” 

Jeonghan hums, grinning. “Yeah, but look at it this way. They aren’t kids that are following you and Seungcheol around anymore. They’re adults that can actually help if you need it.” He’s right and you know it, but you’re stuck on the mention of Seungcheol and Jeonghan spots it immediately. “Maybe you should reach out to him when you get back. Catch up.”

You automatically shake your head. “No, probably not. He’s made it clear that he doesn’t want anything to do with me, so I’ll leave it alone.” Both Jeonghan and Joshua look like they want to say something, but one of your female classmates comes over looking a little tipsy, asking if you’ll go with her to the restroom. It’s the perfect escape and you’d never let your friend go anywhere in a bar alone, so you jump up right away. 

Later that night, Jeonghan is lying with his head on your stomach and you’re brushing a hand through his hair. You two are in a weird limbo where you’re broken up but not quite. Best friends with a little something more lingering. You know it has to end, but it will soon enough. You can draw a line in the sand in a few days when you get on a plane and go home. The lack of physical distance is what makes this harder to have a clean break right now. 

“You know I’m not mad, right?” Jeonghan mumbles into your stomach. 

You don’t pause your motions in his hair. “Are you sure? I would understand if you were.”

“I’m sure,” he insists, moving to lay on the pillow next to you. “I know you missed home. I do too. I’m happy for you to go back, really. To see your family and friends. Maybe even rebuild some burnt bridges.”

You stare at him for a long time, something between anger and confusion building. “Why do you keep insisting that I do that?”

He stares back at you, unflinching at the frustration bleeding into your tone. “Which part? The burnt bridges part?” You nod. He bites his lip. “This is going to sound stupid and you have to pinky promise me that you won’t make fun of me.” 

You buckle up because it’s not often that Jeonghan admits to something embarrassing. “Of course.” You throw up your pinky for him to link with. 

“I had a massive crush on you for years.” Your eyes widen at the confession. It’s kind of funny that you’re hearing this after you’ve broken up with him rather than when you were actually dating or even before, but you can’t bring yourself to laugh because you’re so confused. 

“Hannie, what are you talking about? When?”

He snorts. “I’m not surprised you didn’t notice. It was for most of high school and all of college. Not that I ever expected it to go anywhere because there was always Seungcheol.” He doesn’t sound bitter about it, amazingly. “I still consider it a total fluke that we both ended up here together, much less dated.” 

You feel your eyes water and he spots it quickly, gripping your hand. “I didn’t tell you that to make you feel guilty. I promise. What I was trying to get to is that you didn’t notice anyone that wasn’t Seungcheol. You guys were it, you know. Everyone dreams of having a relationship like that. So, I’m not saying you should rekindle anything if you don’t want to. I’m saying he was a major part of your life and maybe you should see if you can salvage some part of that.”

You feel your bottom lip tremble a bit and you feel stupid for it. “I don’t know that there’s any point, Hannie. I don’t know if I’ll even see him, much less what he’ll be like if I do.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure of that,” he chuckles. “Just think about it, okay? Now, serious question. What are the rules about kissing for the next few days? I have some serious cuteness aggression to get out of my system before you leave.”

This makes you burst into a giggle, but you do let him kiss you. It’s kind of like a long good-bye and it’s a relief to know he doesn’t hate you - not yet, anyway. 

~

Jeonghan and Joshua drop you off at the airport, going through security to smother you with affection at the gate. It makes you cry, which makes Joshua cry, which makes Jeonghan cry. You promise to send them a message when you land, and cry some more in your seat on the plane. 

The flight is long and you’re bleary eyed when you finally do land at your final destination. You keep your promise of shooting Jeonghan and Joshua a text once the wheels touch the pavement, even though it’s the middle of the night now for them. They must have stayed up waiting for your message, because they reply right away. You have to put away your phone before replying because it makes you tear up again and you’re eager to get off of this tin can.

You get your carryon bags and get your larger suitcase from baggage claim, wheeling them out to the pick-up lane. A familiar car is waiting and someone hops out of it when you approach. You pull up your bags short, jaw dropping. “Who are you and what have you done with my baby brother?”

Wonwoo laughs, pulling you into a tight hug. “Nice to see you too. But do you realize you’re just a year older? ‘Baby’ is a bit of stretch.” 

“Yeah, but you’re dwarfing me now! Look at those shoulders! What kind of battle are you preparing for?” You exclaim. 

Wonwoo rolls his eyes at the jab, though he’s smiling. “The battle of carrying a drunk Mingyu home from the bar. That shit is hard. I’ve been doing his workout plan for a while now.” He grabs both of your bags from you and heads to the trunk of the car. “Besides, did you forget that I’ve been taller than you since you were ten years old?”

“Forgive me if I’m coming to terms with the fact that my baby brother is a full-fledged adult now. I vividly remember teaching you how to tie your shoes,” you pout, crossing your arms. 

Wonwoo snorts, closing the trunk. “Yeah, two decades ago. Come on. Appa and Eomma are waiting.”

The ride home is quiet and familiar. When he pulls into the parking garage, Wonwoo grabs the bags and leads the way to the apartment, letting you in. You can smell the homemade food as soon as you walk in and you’re already tearing up when your parents peek their head out of the kitchen with big grins. “There’s my baby. How was your flight?” Your mother says and both greet you warmly, hugging you despite the fresh stains of sauce on their aprons. 

“It was okay. Nice to be home,” you sniffle. 

Your father looks like he might cry too, so he brushes past the conversation. “Food will be ready in a little bit. You should go rest, maybe shower. Your room is ready.”

“Are you saying I smell?” You chuckle. Wonwoo calls out a short ‘yes’ as he takes your bags down the hall, but your mother laughs shaking her head. 

“All that’s missing is your younger brother,” she says. Bohyuk is away at college, having already moved back into the dorms last week, so he can’t be here for your little welcome party.

You do take a shower and change, feeling a little refreshed and smelling less like an airplane than you did before, and you take a look around your room. It’s largely unchanged from last time you were here. Your parents had always insisted on keeping it that way until you were on your feet, and you were kind of thankful that they didn't turn it into a guest bedroom as soon as you left for college the first time, or even the second when there was no guarantee you’d move back. They did the same thing with Wonwoo and Bohyuk, though Wonwoo finally insisted on retiring his room by just moving his things out. You’re getting teary eyed again, so you go back to the kitchen to help your parents finish dinner. 

Wonwoo stays for dinner. Your parents give you their updates, even though they’re sparing. You talk to them every week anyway, and they both like their routine of going to work, coming home, and working on various hobbies in their spare time. Your mom has picked up a new book series, which tracks. You and your siblings are all voracious readers because of her. Your father is fixing up an old motorcycle. You tease him, asking if this is a midlife crisis, but he good-naturedly agrees that it most certainly is. 

Wonwoo tells you about his job at an IT consulting company - it’s fine despite being kind of dull and pays decently. He tells you that Mingyu loves his job at the architecture firm and really hasn’t changed much. He teases that his best friend is very excited to see you, someone he’s supposedly always had a school-boy crush on. You brush it off, because this has been brought up over and over for years. Mingyu’s a sweet guy no doubt, but since he’s never said anything to you, you haven’t addressed these rumors.  

Finally, your jaw clenches when Wonwoo says Seungcheol is also good, working as a business partner for one of the many companies that have offices downtown. He says he’s done quite a bit of climbing on the corporate ladder over the last few years and stays busy but Wonwoo still keeps up with him. This doesn’t surprise you. Wonwoo’s known him his whole life, just like you, but all you can manage to say is, “That’s nice.”

Then, your parents asks you for your updates, like when your shipment should be here. You’d had to mail most of your stuff and it will go straight into storage for now, but you’ll need help with it when it arrives, which should be in a couple weeks. Your mom asks when you start your new job, to which you answer three weeks. Your new employer was generous about giving you some time to settle in after moving. 

There’s something so warm yet so unfamiliar now about being here. It doesn’t quite feel like home and you don’t get a ton of sleep. 

~

Mingyu scoops you up and swings you back and forth a few times as soon as he sees you. Much like your shock at the airport last night, you have to acknowledge that Mingyu isn’t the little kid that chased you around with bugs or pushed you off the jungle gym. The gym workouts have been effective because you’re suffocating between his arms and chest. “Okay, put me down,” you choke out, not sounding nearly as demanding as you wish. 

Still, he plops you down on the ground again, grinning wide. “I’m happy you’re back!” His ingenuity warms you but you can’t let it show. You still have nightmares about bugs chasing you sometimes and you will forever have a fear of heights because of him.

“How did you get by without me?” You tease, having to look up at him. Just like with Wonwoo, he’s been bigger than you for most of your life, but there’s an absence of the childlike quality, or perhaps the immaturity, that both of them had when you left three years ago. 

“I was totally miserable,” Mingyu says and you can’t really tell if he’s joking. Still, he flings his arm around your shoulders. “Come on, you’re going out with Wonwoo and I.”

You groan. “But I’m all jet lagged.”

“And you need to adjust to this timezone by staying up for now,” he insists, sounding way wiser than you think you’ve ever heard him sound. “You’ll sleep well tonight if you stay up for now. Go get ready.” He shoves you back towards your bedroom. 

That’s how you end up at a BBQ place for lunch. You sigh at the first bite because KBBQ restaurants back in California can try, but it just can’t compare to this. Wonwoo and Mingyu take turns at the grill, keeping your plate full until you can’t eat anymore. You insist on a walk around the block or two to work some of it off.

Wonwoo and Mingyu are reminiscing about the time in college where you won a drinking contest, if only because you were bet that you couldn’t. Your stomach turns at the story and you wish you understood how they got onto this conversation. 

You groan. “Please, I was so sick that night.”

“Oh, I remember. We had to take turns holding back your hair because we were all sick too,” Mingyu reminded. 

“You are one of the two worst Leos I know. Can’t let a challenge slip by, can you?” Wonwoo chortled. 

You’re about to make a comment throwing Mingyu under the bus too for being the Aries that he is, but Mingyu’s interrupting. “Speaking of Leos.” 

A figure has exited the coffee shop up ahead and is heading your way. You feel your stomach lurch. This was precisely the thing that you were hoping to avoid, and naturally you’d have to face it the first full day you’re back home. 

“Cheol, what’s up?” Mingyu greets loudly. Seungcheol perks up, holding up a coffee in place of a wave. In his other hand is a bag, likely lunch. You remember it’s a Wednesday of all days, and Wonwoo and Mingyu must have taken off work to see you today. Even without the lunch in, it would have been obvious it’s a workday because Seungcheol’s in a business suit.

Seungcheol looks good, cheerful even. “Mingyu, Wonwoo. It’s been a minute! How are you guys doing?” 

“Good, good. Just out to lunch,” Wonwoo answered. 

“Same. Not working today?” Seungcheol asks conversationally. 

“No, we couldn’t go to work today. It’s too special,” Mingyu says, and Seungcheol raises an eyebrow in question. “Look who’s back?” Somehow, Mingyu knows you’ve crept around to hide behind Wonwoo’s back without looking your way and he tugs you out to stand between them, steadying you with a hand on your shoulder. 

Seungcheol’s response is instantaneous. Shock, and then anger, and then conflict flash across his face before he can slap a friendly smile back on. “Oh, Y/N. This is a surprise. When did you get back?”

“Hey, Seungcheol.” It feels awkward to call him that because he’s been Cheol since you could speak, but you have a feeling he wouldn’t want you to call him that. “Last night, actually. Wonwoo and Mingyu are trying to help me past the jet lag today.”

“Oh yeah, that’s tough. How long are you staying for?” He asks. Either it’s genuine or he’s gotten good at faking that he cares, but you can’t be sure. You don’t really feel like you know the person in front of you anymore. The Seungcheol you knew three years ago before your breakup, or even before you got together in the first place, would have scooped you up in a hug on sight, much like Mingyu did this morning. This Seungcheol wants his distance in every sense of the word. You’re kind of surprised he isn’t making an excuse to sprint away. 

You smile and shrug. “Indefinitely? I finished my law program and got a job here. We’ll see where it takes me.”

You see his eyes flare at the news, but he’s masking the rest of his reactions well. “Good for you, Y/N. I’m sure Wonwoo and Mingyu are excited to follow you around everywhere again.” It sounds playful and your brother and Mingyu laugh like it is, but the words sting a little. Growing up it was always the four of you - Wonwoo and Mingyu were following around both you and Seungcheol. Now the group is fractured and it feels like it's all your fault. 

“Thanks, Seungcheol. It’s nice to be home,” you say simply, only because you’re afraid of what else might slip out if you keep talking. 

“Well, I need to get back to the office. My lunch hour is almost over. But you all will be at my birthday thing this weekend, right?” Seungcheol asks. You’re fading behind the broad shoulders that you made fun of Wonwoo for yesterday because you’re sure you're not included in that. 

“Yeah, we’ll be there. We’re celebrating Y/N’s birthday the day before, if you’re free.” These plans are a total surprise to you, but when Wonwoo says it, Mingyu doesn’t look surprised. 

Seungcheol hesitates only for a split second, but that split second stings you even more than the rest of the conversation before. Until you moved away, you’d never not celebrated each other’s birthdays. Growing up, most of your parties were hosted together since you were born the day before he was. You remember crying on your first birthday away from him if only because he hadn’t even wished you happy birthday. And you couldn’t wish him happy birthday the following day because you discovered you were blocked. “Sure. Send me the time and place.” 

Seungcheol says good-bye and Wonwoo and Mingyu start walking again, albeit much quieter than before. Wonwoo pats your shoulder a couple times in comfort. “Well, we were thinking about surprising you, but the cat’s out of the bag now. What do you want to do for your birthday?” 

“Oh, you know we don’t have to do anything,” you start, but Mingyu’s putting you in a light headlock. 

“Oh no. We’re doing something. You should pick before we do,” he threatens. 

You groan, wiggling out of his arms, shoving him back, not that it does anything. You’re only free because he let you out of the headlock. “Fine, I’ll think about it. You know I don’t want anything big though.”

“Too bad,” Wonwoo says, totally unsympathetic. “We’ve already invited everyone, we just have to tell them when and where.” It’s clear you can’t win this one, so you just agree to let them know.

~

You pick a bar. You aren’t typically a huge drinker, but you have fond memories here from your undergrad days. The whole group does because you all frequented it, even when you probably shouldn't have. It feels appropriate to pick this place if only because this was the birthday celebration place for the entirety of undergrad. 

It hasn’t changed much. It’s still a college dive bar, complete with sticky counters and floors, squeaky stools, and totally flat booth seats, but it’s pretty empty of college students because the fall semester hasn’t kicked off yet. Soonyoung, Jihoon, and Jun are already there when you arrive with Wonwoo and Mingyu. Soonyoung might as well have tackled you, but Jun’s and Woozi’s hugs are a little softer. They all look genuinely excited to see you, and it eases some of the anxiety you had about moving back. You hadn't been the best at keeping up with them over the last few years, but it seems that it's all water under the bridge to them. 

Mingyu buys the first round and you can barely keep up with the interrogation that they have for you. How was California? How is it to be back? How was law school? When are you taking the bar? When do you start your new job? At some point in this interrogation, Seungcheol has snuck into a seat at the end of the table, beer in hand. If anyone is surprised to see him, they don’t say it. You’re certainly surprised, assuming he’d bail. 

By the third round, your interrogation has dwindled to the occasional question, but there’s lively conversation all over the table now. It’s frankly a little overwhelming, and at some point, you have to escape to the restroom for a breather. What you don’t expect is for Seungcheol to be waiting outside with a look you’re very familiar with. 

“Y/N, you know you shouldn’t run off alone in a bar like that,” he scolds lightly. 

The way he’s looking at you makes you stall out for a minute. You didn't think he’d notice or care. Then, when the wheels start turning, you speak with a little more attitude than you intended. “I’m a big girl, Cheol.” The nickname slips out before you can stop it, but you don’t bother correcting it, because he’s already heard it. 

He’s pursing his lips, dimples on display despite not looking very pleased. “I know you are, but still. You haven’t been away that long. Did you go by yourself like that in California?” There’s obvious concern laced in his voice.

“No, not typically,” you drawl. “But I had a few female friends there that I could go with. I didn’t really think about it just now.” 

You can see that he knows what you mean. All of your friends here are guys for the most part. Finally, he shrugs. “Just grab one of us next time to wait outside for you. Come on, they’re on the next round already and demanding that the birthday girl catch up.”

You go back to the table and do catch up. More than catch up really because your head his spinning that Seungcheol doesn’t seem to hate you, at least not as much as you thought. You really thought he’d never speak to you ever again, but he still seems to have a little concern for you. Wonwoo has to steady you when it’s time to leave. He takes you back to his and Mingyu’s apartment where you pass out on the couch almost immediately. 

~

Seungcheol picks another bar, albeit down the street. This one is not the college dive bar like you picked, but a little higher class. When you arrive with Wonwoo and Mingyu, Seungcheol greets you all warmly, or warmer than you expect anyway. Mingyu comments that the place is cool, and Seungcheol says that he’s come here with coworkers a few times and liked it. Then he tacks on, “Besides, Y/N took my idea by picking our usual place last night. Can’t go to a college dive bar two nights in a row at our big age.” It’s lighthearted and it somehow pulls a laugh from you. Before you two left, you’d always argue and say ‘Hey! That was my idea!’ It feels familiar and lighthearted in a way that you aren’t sure you deserve. 

The table has a lot of the same crowd as last night, plus a few of his coworkers. It seems a lot of your mutual friends already know them, but Seungcheol still introduces you to Minghao, Vernon, Seungkwan, and Chan. When he does, he simply says that the two of you go way back and have known each other your whole lives. They’re polite - friendly even - but you down the drinks again tonight if only to forget that Seungcheol didn't even call you a friend, much less acknowledge your former romantic relationship. You know you have no right to be upset by it, but you think you could cry into your shot glass if you don’t keep distracting yourself. At some point, Wonwoo and Mingyu trade your drink for water, cutting you off. 

Wonwoo and Mingyu also don’t say much when you do actually cry on their couch, instead just throwing a blanket over you and letting you curl up between them. Maybe you shouldn’t see Seungcheol again, if only for your own mental health. 

~

The weeks fly by after that. Your things arrive and are delivered directly to the storage locker you’ve rented, and Wonwoo and Mingyu show up to help you toss things inside to organize later. Your plan is to find an apartment sooner rather than later to not mooch off your parents any longer, so all of it will have to come back out anyway. 

It’s your first day at your new job. You get there early, dressed as nicely as you can with what you had in your suitcases, making a mental note of going to the storage unit over the weekend to dig for a few nicer things that you hope are stashed away in there. Otherwise you’re stuck shopping and you dread it because the flight back home wasn't cheap and neither was the shipment for the rest of your things. But today, you manage to find a pencil skirt, dress shirt, and heels. It’s the picture of business professional and the safest bet until you get a feel for what the dress code is really like here. 

The receptionist on the first floor sends you to the fourth floor to meet with HR and fill out paperwork. This takes more than an hour and then the HR manager walks you up to your direct supervisor’s office on the tenth floor. You’ve spoken with Mrs. Jang a few times over the phone since interviewing and accepting the position. She’s the manager over the Contracts department here and is a law grad herself. She seems strict, no-nonsense, and despite the urge to impress her, you think she’ll be a great person to learn from because of the experience she has in other facets of law outside of practicing as a lawyer. 

Mrs. Jang leads you to a small office, resembling a windowless shoe box rather than the glass paned, spacious office that she has. She’s even a little apologetic as you follow her in. “We’re a small department,” she excuses. “Just you, me, and Seokmin. So unfortunately there’s not a ton of office space for us.”

The man you assume to be Seokmin spins in his chair and waves, introducing himself. When Mrs. Jang hands you off to Seokmin to get acquainted, you learn he’s not just friendly. He gives off the vibe that he wants to be everyone’s best friend and it’s incredibly endearing. This is a good thing because you guys can touch each other’s computers from your own desks. You better like him, or this office setup would suck. 

Seokmin tells you that there’s not much going on at the moment for your department, because the company is coming out of a freeze on new deals, but there’s one on the docket to start drafting in just a few weeks to prepare for the new quarter. Simple enough, maybe you’ll have some time to adjust to the new place before being thrown into the fire.

Seokmin leads you to the cafeteria on the second floor at lunch time and you sit together, chatting about anything that comes to Seokmin’s mind, which seems to be a lot. He also seems to have friends in every department and many of them stop by to interrupt and say hi to him. Seokmin isn’t shy to introduce you and you feel like you’ve met a hundred people by the time you put your trays away. 

You’re exiting the cafeteria when you hear your name called out down the hall. It surprises both you and Seokmin and you see a group coming down the hall. A familiar group. Seungkwan is waving at you with a big smile, Minghao, Vernon, and Chan trailing him. Your stomach sinks, but you slap on a smile. 

“You did not say you were working here of all places,” Seungkwan admonishes good-naturedly. 

“That’s because I didn’t know you guys worked here. I had no clue it was relevant,” you excuse. 

“You know Seokmin, so you must be in Contracts,” Minghao observes light-heartedly. 

“That’s right, first day,” you respond. 

“I guess we’ll be seeing you in a few weeks then. Our team is the one with the first potential contract of the quarter,” Vernon says. 

You smile, nod, and pray you don’t look totally awkward. “I guess so. It’s nice to know a few friendly faces here right away.” You fear that your awkwardness has been unmistakable when Seokmin nudges you and says you both should head back upstairs.

As soon as the elevator doors close, you sigh, slumping against the wall. Seokmin raises an eyebrow, looking highly entertained. “Okay. Vending machine and coffee first, then you have to tell me what the hell that was about.” You give him a look, but he shakes his head right away. “Oh no, I just saved you back there. You owe me.”

You didn't intend on trauma dumping on your new coworker on your first day - or ever really - but the recent revelation had you spilling your guts between sips of coffee and bites of cookies. If those four are here, that means that Seungcheol is too because they were specifically introduced to you as his coworkers. Seokmin’s eyes widen as you explain, slowly propping his feet up on his desk to lean back in his chair and stare at the tiled ceiling. “Wow,” he drawls out. “So you’re the one that had him so bent out of shape when he started here.”

Your jaw drops. “What?”

Seokmin nods between bites of his own cookies, looking at you from his reclined position. “Oh yeah. I hear he was far from the most pleasant person to work with when he started. Rumor was someone had broken his heart pretty badly, but nothing was ever confirmed.”

You’re hung up on so many things. The casualness of the behavior of some of the employees here, namely Seokmin feeling comfortable to put his feet on his desk and let his computer go to sleep. The gossip that got around here, even to this seemingly little corner of the building. And the fact that Seungcheol was unpleasant. In all the years that you’d known him, you could count on one hand the number of times he was ‘unpleasant’, and you would argue that most of those were deserved.

With a groan, you ask when this meeting is. Seokmin jiggles his mouse and logs in, clicks to his calendar and tells you the date. Too soon, you think. He says he’ll forward you the meeting invite as you let your head drop onto your keyboard. 

[marzipanandminutiae]

Do you know much about historical cuisine? Saw yet another anime with friends and they went the whole 'modern food always tastes better' bit. I feel tired of the trope and am wondering how different historical cuisine would taste compared to modern times. So anything you happen to know as a historian would be cool to know!

That varies MASSIVELY based on time and location. Like. Much more than fashion does, even, I'd imagine (in a given sub-region- I can talk about Mainstream European and Euro-American Fashion of the 19th CenturyTM but the food was so different in different countries that were dressing the same, if that makes sense? just as an example).

Food is often more globalized in a lot of places nowadays, so the characters might have more diversity of flavors from the regional norm than they're used to. But this could be a good or a bad thing- a woman from 17th-century Japan might love pizza and much sweeter Western pastries, or she might absolutely hate them. Which is not to say regional cuisines haven't evolved, too- a museum here in Boston used to have tastings of 18th-century-style hot chocolate, and it was very different from the modern sort. But that's the largest blanket difference across the globe that I can think of, food-wise.

Not sure what anime this was, so it could have been Japan-specific, but I feel like this gets applied the most to the 19th-mid 20th century UK and United States. The whole Captain America line about "food's better; we used to boil everything," for example, and the general belief that everything was bland mush in those areas until the 1950s and then it was incomprehensible Jell-O mold horrors until approximately the 1980s. And of course, none of that's true- there were plenty of dishes that used spices and different cooking methods, many of which are still popular today. See also: Jonathan Harker, a Normal 1890s Englishman, getting so rhapsodical about paprikahendl that he simply must have the recipe for his fiancee to make. There also WERE bland mushes and fluorescent nightmares, but there's less than ideal food today, as well.

(Note that I'm much less confident talking about the whole English StodgeTM thing as we get into the 20th century. That is outside my history wheelhouse and there's a lot of different stuff embroiled in it relating to class and such that I don't want to talk out my ass about. All I know is that I've seen plenty of recipes from as late as the end of the 19th century, from England and some from urban Scotland if I recall correctly, that made ample use of spices. Nutmeg, mustard, black pepper, rosemary, caraway, and cayenne pepper were especially popular (not all together obviously). There was a belief among the middle and upper classes that strong flavors of garlic and onion were distasteful to ladies, but the fact that cookbooks and such feel the need to mention it implies that those elements WERE being used in cooking generally, in the UK, at that time. So wherever the idea that All British Food Is Beige And Tasteless came from, it wasn't mainstream late Victorian cooking for adults as far as I can tell)

(They gave kids a fair amount of the beige and tasteless because they believed their digestive systems couldn't handle strongly-flavored- okay now I'm getting off topic. Read Ruth Goodman's "How To Be A Victorian." Anyway!)

tl;dr- The answer to "is modern food better?" is "that's literally impossible to answer as a blanket statement, since it's massively dependent on the character's original time, place, social status, and personal taste- and where they end up in the present, of course."

Now, I do agree that the trope is annoying the same way every single princess being totally shocked and appalled when her marriage is arranged gets annoying- not because it can't be true based on history and human behavior, but because fiction treats it as some kind of universal precept. Mix it up a little sometimes! Have a Regency character who comes to the present, finds out that her favorite local cheese isn't being made anymore, and loses her entire mind!